What historical event led to the separation of West Virginia from Virginia?

The separation of West Virginia from Virginia was primarily a result of the American Civil War. During this tumultuous period, significant divisions emerged between the eastern and western regions of Virginia. The western part of the state, which would become West Virginia, had different economic interests and cultural values compared to the eastern region, which was heavily reliant on slavery and plantation agriculture.

As Virginia seceded from the Union in 1861, many residents in the western counties opposed this decision, leading them to seek a separate statehood. In 1862, after a series of delegates and public meetings, the government of the newly formed state of West Virginia was established, and it was admitted to the Union on June 20, 1863. This separation was fueled by both ideological differences regarding the war and practical concerns about governance and representation.

The other historical events listed, such as the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and World War I, did not have the same impact or context surrounding the specific and complex circumstances that led to West Virginia's statehood during the Civil War.